Citizens’ Meeting: Elects New Board, Looks to the Future
By • May 13, 2024 0 1433
A full-agenda annual meeting of the Citizens Association of Georgetown was held at Duke Ellington School of the Arts on May 7. Duke Ellington Principal Sandi Logan greeted the crowd. President Tara Sakraida Parker provided an annual overview of accomplishments, followed by the official approval of the new CAG officers and board members.
New CAG President Paul Williams made his debut and announced the new team for the Citizens Association of Georgetown, now 146 years old.
A smiling Mayor Muriel Bowser said, “Georgetown is booming,” as she touted her 2025 budget and participated in a prepared question-and-answer session.
Among the news of the night was that D.C.’s Department of Transportation Acting Director Sharon Kershbaum told the audience that DDOT was re-evaluating the proposed one-way streets.
Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto thanked CAG for its unwavering support of her crime legislation.
Georgetown-Burleith Advisory Neighborhood Commission Chair Gwendolyn Lohse and other ANC commissioners noted the group’s positive relationship with CAG and answered questions from the audience.
Remarks from MPD Second District Commander Tatjana Savoy shared the latest updates on crime and public safety. She emphasized, “I respond to all requests.”
Outgoing CAG President Tara Sakraida Parker — who received accolades from the Office of the Mayor, City Council and ANC2E — gave heartfelt remarks about her four-year tenure. “Georgetown: This is where history has always been made,” she began. “This is a community embracing the future. This is where we do our part to make a mark on history. At the Citizens Association of Georgetown, we, together, have made history.”
During her tenure, Parker listed the group’s achievements which included:
- Creating a multi-year development plan resulting in historic giving campaigns.
- Recruiting new members and elevating them to leadership positions within committees and the Board.
- Hosting more programs and events for community engagement, like our most popular Black History month program, an enhanced Block Captain program, and member appreciation events with new Georgetown businesses.
- Uniting with community partners and supporting the ANC on common issues resulting in ‘wins’ like securing $28 million for the Jelleff Recreation Center and $700,000 for Volta Park improvements.
The evening’s award winners included Councilmember Brooke Pinto, Charles Atherton Award; Richard Hinds, the Belin Award; John Rentzepis, the Belin Award; Oak Hill Cemetery, the William A. Cochran Community Service Award; the Fountain Inn & the Bourbon Concierge, the Martin Davidson Award for Outstanding Businesses.
Special appreciation awards were given to Ellen Charles, Susan Dabbar, Kitty Kelley, Stephen Kurzman, Diana Prince and Roger Sant.
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- New CAG President Paul Williams at the CAG Annual Meeting on May 7. Courtesy CAG. Photo by Craig Hudson.
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- Mayor Muriel Bowser at the CAG Annual Meeting on May 7. Courtesy CAG. Photo by Craig Hudson.
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- MPD Second District Commander Tatjana Savoy at the CAG Annual Meeting on May 7. Courtesy CAG. Photo by Craig Hudson.
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- ANC 2E Chair Gwen Lohse at the CAG Annual Meeting on May 7. Courtesy CAG. Photo by Craig Hudson.
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- DDOT Acting Director Sharon Kershbaum at the CAG Annual Meeting on May 7. Courtesy CAG. Photo by Craig Hudson.
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- New CAG officers at the CAG Annual Meeting on May 7. Courtesy CAG. Photo by Craig Hudson.
